U.S Embassy in Tel Aviv: MEPI Student Leaders Program for Israel

Deadline: 18 January 2017

The U.S Embassy in Tel Aviv is seeking applications for its Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) Student Leaders Program.

The MEPI Student Leaders Program is a fully-funded, six-week intensive leadership training program in the United States from June 25th till August 5th 2017, for both undergraduate and graduate students, with Israeli citizenship, between the ages of 20-24, studying at colleges or universities in Israel.

Program Overview

The MEPI Student Leaders Program works on promoting participatory and pluralistic societies by developing the capacity of young regional leaders, and understanding of civil society and democratic processes of students seeking to be future leaders.
Approximately 120 students from the MENA region are expected to participate in 2017 joining over 1,600 program alumni.
Each Student Leader candidate will be assigned to a host US university.

Themes

A comparative analysis of leadership styles;
Consensus-building, conflict resolution, individual and collective problem solving, and group dynamics;
The role of civil society;
Public speaking; and job-seeking skills.

The program will include coursework/trainings as well as field visits to complement and reinforce the concepts explored in the trainings.

Eligibility Criteria

Undergraduate or Graduate students between the age of 20-24 as of June 25, 2017;
Students studying at a college or a university in Israel;
Demonstrate English language skills needed to participate in a U.S. academic program;
Are committed to returning to Israel following completion of the program;
Demonstrate strong leadership potential;
Indicate serious interest in learning about the United States;
Have a sustained high level of academic achievement;
Demonstrate a commitment to civic engagement;
Have no prior travel experience to the United States or Canada, and limited or no study or travel experience outside Israel;
Are willing and able to participate fully in intensive academic, community service, and educational travel activities;
Are comfortable with campus life, sharing living accommodations while traveling with a multinational group of participants from the Middle East and North Africa region and with U.S. citizens, and making adjustments to cultural and social practices different from those of their home countries/communities; and
Are comfortable spending part of Ramadan and Eid in the United States;
Participant must be an Israeli citizen and currently living in Israel. Dual American-Israeli citizens, permanent residents of the United States or citizens of another OECD member country are not eligible to apply.